Finding my feet - Robin's Story

During the winter of 2012 and ’13, I lived and slept in my car because I had nowhere else to go. The windows iced up on more than one occasion and I almost froze. It wasn’t like I’d chosen that for myself – I had a full-time job, but outside of work I was no-one and when I lost my home due to a relationship breakdown, I had nowhere to go and no-one to turn to, so my car was the only place I could find shelter.

Finding warmth again

Eventually, my car broke down so I ended up on the streets, this is where I learnt about the Freedom Centre from other people in similar or even worse situations than mine. All I really wanted was someone to help me, a warm bed and something to eat. The people at Freedom even called me to offer me a bed, but the problem was getting there – I still had a full-time job to hold down. Shortly after though I unfairly lost that job, so I took the chance to go along to the Freedom Centre and see if they could help. The main thing I remember about that day is meeting warm, lovely people who actually listened to me and then offered me lots of help and advice.

Building a plan for the future

Together we worked out a plan – not only to get me fed, into some accommodation and off the streets but also how to get another job. I’d done a computer course, but I needed help with putting together an up-to-date C.V, cover letters and sending off applications – they gave me all of that help. I planned to go to the centre regularly, sign up with North Devon Homes and look for a place of my own too.

Getting back on track

Just knowing that someone actually cared and that I could get help any time made a huge difference to me and what I could do. I wasn’t a ‘nobody’ anymore, I could see I was somebody to them and I was becoming ‘somebody’ to myself and others too. I was starting to do things with my life, get things back on track again. Now I have my own place but I still go along to Freedom once a week to catch up with the friends I made there and some help with moving further forward with my life.

I don’t know what I’d have done without their help, I certainly wouldn’t be here today, on my own feet again, in a flat of my own with friends and a job. If I hadn’t have made that step then I’d be lost now.

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Each year, our Day Centre Helps around 1,000 people with all sorts of problems, from mental health issues to finding work, homelessness to budgeting. Watch some clips of the stories we've seen this year and keep this access free for those who need it

Each year, our Day Centre Helps around 1,000 people with all sorts of problems, from mental health issues to finding work, homelessness to budgeting. Watch some of the stories we've seen this year and keep this free for those who need it.

We are not prepared to see vulnerable people homeless on the streets and we believe that everyone has a right to a stable, secure and decent home. We are looking for supporters who believe the same and who will help us to raise the money we need to furnish and equip this house to a good standard. Will you help?

Related

Each year, our Day Centre Helps around 1,000 people with all sorts of problems, from mental health issues to finding work, homelessness to budgeting. Watch some clips of the stories we've seen this year and keep this access free for those who need it

Each year, our Day Centre Helps around 1,000 people with all sorts of problems, from mental health issues to finding work, homelessness to budgeting. Watch some clips of the stories we've seen this year and keep this access free for those who need it

There are lots of misconceptions about how and why people find themselves in difficult situations such as being homeless, battling addiction, without work or unable to put food on the table. Here you'll find the facts.